Fort William, Skiing & Sn...

Beginners have two dedicated tows with very short gentle green runs on which to master the basics. The mountain is well laid out for progressing beginners who can build up their confidence on longer green runs before moving onto the more challenging blues. The Nevis Range ski school are on hand to ensure you find your feet. Be sure to book before you go as the ski school busies up pretty quick when conditions are good.

Intermediates will revel in the sheer distance they can ski before having to get back on a lift. A good variety of routes lead from the summit all the way back to the lower lifts. Warren’s and The Goose provide most of the best intermediate sport. Nevis Range is also a good place for intermediates to get their first taste of the back country. The back bowls provide the perfect environment for this. However, it is recommended that a suitably qualified instructor or guide is hired as the back bowls can be prone to avalanche and in poor visibility loosing the route could result in someone falling over a cliff.

Advanced riders will relish the back bowls (lift served off-piste) and their looming cornices which sometimes offer an exhilarating free fall entrance onto the steep slopes below. The slopes, often covered with wind slab can be prone to avalanche. And remember too, that cornices are unstable and at some point will break off. Be sure to check with ski patrol, the office or the signs by the tops of tows. If in doubt, don’t go over.

There are usually kickers and rails for freestylers on the Summit Run. The Goose Gully will provide good natural air from its left hand lip in certain conditions. Care must be taken as the landing strip is in the middle of one of the main pistes.